glass-bricks for soundproofing?

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frequency_

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I have a big window to soundproof...10x4.5 feet. I m thinking to take the glass and the frame off and build it in with glass bricks...does any of you guys know if glassbricks will help to keep the sound from leaking inside and outside my room? is that a good material for soundproofing? I know there are other ways of soundproofing a window but glassbricks will give me some light, and will look good too. thanks
 
frequency_ said:
I have a big window to soundproof...10x4.5 feet. I m thinking to take the glass and the frame off and build it in with glass bricks...does any of you guys know if glassbricks will help to keep the sound from leaking inside and outside my room? is that a good material for soundproofing? I know there are other ways of soundproofing a window but glassbricks will give me some light, and will look good too. thanks
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I think it'd be great, much better than a normal window. However, wait for someone else to respond.
 
I don't know about the sound proofing, but I do love that glass block look and it is alot thicker, it would be a reflective surface just like a window pane, you could also install some real heavy drapes (like theatres) to close over when in sessions this would have beneficial affect on sound absorption.
 
Lectric_Lab said:
I don't know about the sound proofing, but I do love that glass block look and it is alot thicker, it would be a reflective surface just like a window pane, you could also install some real heavy drapes (like theatres) to close over when in sessions this would have beneficial affect on sound absorption.
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If you get the(don't know how to describe them)flemish? or reeded. Then it'd be good high frequency diffusion. Any types that aren't flat. I have also read that they can isolate around 40dB-50dB. 45dB-49dB on this site.
 
at high frequency it should do an ok job but the lower limit on published specs is typically 125hz... if i had to hazard a guess, it would be less than brick or block and even less than a proper drywall structure. also, structure borne noise will cut right through the glass (like brick or block) and so you probably have to go with a pair of glass walls with isolation top and bottom to get good low end performance and reduce structure related flanking making its way into the wall.

here's the specs the NZ site seems to refer to. looks to be typical house sound insulation information. http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/technical/fs53.htm

in the end, if total isolation isn't a concern (and you can't build a pair of walls to improve on it), the glass wall approach is still a nice one for extra light and decor.
 
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gullfo said:
at high frequency it should do an ok job but the lower limit on published specs is typically 125hz... if i had to hazard a guess, it would be less than brick or block and even less than a proper drywall structure. also, structure borne noise will cut right through the glass (like brick or block) and so you probably have to go with a pair of glass walls with isolation top and bottom to get good low end performance and reduce structure related flanking.

here's the specs the NZ site seems to refer to. looks to be typical house sound insulation information. http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/technical/fs53.htm

in the end, if total isolation isn't a concern (and you can't build a pair of walls to improve on it), the glass wall approach is still a nice one for extra light and decor.
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Yeah i'd suggest a double wall of these. They should provide more isolation than a normal window though, wouldn't you agree fullfo?
 
I am not an engineer, but some practical experience with this.
glass blocks = concrete blocks as far as sound proofing. Pretty Good.
as far as diffraction inside the space, I don't believe textured glass blockswill make any real-world difference.
C.
 
chugheshc said:
I am not an engineer, but some practical experience with this.
glass blocks = concrete blocks as far as sound proofing. Pretty Good.
as far as diffraction inside the space, I don't believe textured glass blockswill make any real-world difference.
C.
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It will only make a difference to high frequencies. It should be better than a standard glass plane though.
 
density wise, the glass is probably higher than the cement which would seem to be a good thing. it would be helpful for glass block manufacturers to post complete acoustic data instead of postulating that their product will meet some standard for sound insulation...
 
the double wall idea is a good one, air barrier would help...frequency's Q to "soundproof" using this, don't think this will soundproof anything...I looked on another site and the only thing I could find on using glass, would be to mount another panel sheet glass in front at an angle (like mix window) which would take away from the aesthetics, could the blocks themselves be angled when placing them?
 
Lectric_Lab said:
the double wall idea is a good one, air barrier would help...frequency's Q to "soundproof" using this, don't think this will soundproof anything...I looked on another site and the only thing I could find on using glass, would be to mount another panel sheet glass in front at an angle (like mix window) which would take away from the aesthetics, could the blocks themselves be angled when placing them?
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The only reason to angle a window is so the light and sound is reflected down. With textured blocked, the light and sound is scattered more, so there is no need for an angle.
 
any diffusion is likely to be at 6Khz and up due to the small protrusion of the block edges and the dimpling on the surface.
 
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